§ Dr. Roger Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will consider rewarding consultants in accident and emergency services and child and adolescent consultants with an increase in the number of merit awards available for distribution amongst their increasing numbers.
§ Dr. VaughanThe overall number of awards is recommended each year by the Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration and there are not specific quotas within this total for any particular group. My right hon. Friend receives advice on the allocation of awards from an independent committee: it has agreed to keep a careful watch on the distribution of awards between specialties.